Best Novel Writing Software (2026): 10 Tools Compared

Most novels don't stall on the first page. They stall around chapter twelve, when the plot notes live in one place, the character details in another and the draft in a third. Good novel writing software fixes that by keeping everything for one book in one project.

These ten apps are listed alphabetically, in no particular order, and cover planning, drafting and AI help. Each description comes from the maker's own site, re-checked today. Most only offer a trial, so I've flagged the ones that let you keep writing for free. If you need a spark before you open any of them, my fiction prompts sorted by genre make a good warm-up.

Novel writing apps in one table

In the free plan column, Yes means the maker's site describes a free plan or free edition you can keep using. Trial only means a free trial of a set number of days, after which you buy or subscribe.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
bibisco	Novel planning and writing	A free edition for planning a novel	Yes
Dabble	Novel writing software	Plotting and drafting in one place	Trial only
Novelcrafter	Novel writing platform	Planning fiction with every feature unlocked	Trial only
NovelPad	Novel writing app	Cloud or desktop novel writing	Trial only
Plottr	Story outlining software	Outlining a book before drafting	Trial only
Scrivener	Novel and book writing software	Bringing notes, research and drafts together	Trial only
Squibler	Writing and book software	Starting a book on a free plan	Yes
Storyist	Novel and screenplay writing	Index cards and story sheets on Mac	Trial only
Sudowrite	AI writing partner	Authors who want AI drafting help	Trial only
Ulysses	Apple writing app	Long manuscripts across Apple devices	Trial only

Ten apps for planning and writing a book

bibisco

Best for: Novelists on Linux, macOS or Windows who want a free Community Edition, with a 30-day trial of the Supporters Edition extras.

Dabble

Best for: Novelists who want to test every feature for 14 days, including the Plot Grid and Track Changes, with no credit card.

Novelcrafter

Best for: Novelists happy with a 21-day trial with every feature unlocked and no card, knowing the site says there's no free plan afterwards.

NovelPad

Best for: Novelists who want a 14-day trial with no card, then a choice of cloud subscription, one-off desktop app or lifetime option.

Plottr

Best for: Planners who want the whole book outlined before drafting, with a 30-day free trial to try it on a real story.

Scrivener

Best for: Authors on Mac or Windows who want notes, research and chapters together in one project, with a free trial download.

Squibler

Best for: Writers who want to start on a plan the site calls free forever, with higher plans adding more writing power.

Storyist

Best for: Mac and iOS writers who want index cards plus plot, character and setting sheets, with a free trial and no subscription required.

Sudowrite

Best for: Authors who want an AI writing partner for novels and screenplays, with a free trial that needs no credit card.

Ulysses

Best for: Apple users who want one writing app across Mac, iPad and iPhone with iCloud sync, and a free trial on every device.

What copyright won't do for your book title

Here's a question worth settling before you design a cover: can you protect a title? The U.S. Copyright Office's FAQ on what copyright protects says it doesn't protect names, titles, slogans or short phrases, although some of these may be protected as trademarks. The words of your manuscript are a different matter, and can be protected.

My reading of that for a novelist: don't fall in love with a title before you've searched for it. Look for existing books with the same or a similar name, and if you're planning a series or a brand around it, take advice on trademarks. Keep a working title in your software and settle the final one late. I've also written about what copyright covers for writing you publish online if you share chapters on a blog.

Plotter, pantser or somewhere between

• Plotters get the most from outlining tools with timelines, index cards and character sheets.
• Pantsers, who discover the story as they write, tend to prefer a clean drafting screen that stays out of the way.
• Somewhere in between? Look for an app that does both, so the outline and the draft live in one project.
• Curious about AI? Treat it as a brainstorming partner, and keep the voice and the decisions yours.

Setting up your book in five steps

1. Create one project for the whole book, not one file per chapter.
2. Add a page for each main character with the details you'll forget by chapter twenty.
3. Split the draft into scenes so you can move them around later.
4. Set a daily word target and track it inside the app.
5. Turn on backups and export a copy of the manuscript every week.

What new novelists get wrong with writing apps

• Planning for ever. An outline is a map, not the journey, so start drafting.
• Trying three apps at once. Pick one, write ten thousand words, then judge it.
• Trusting a single copy. Keep a backup somewhere other than the app.
• Formatting too early. Worry about the finished layout once the story's done.

Do you make novel writing software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

My plain advice before you start chapter one

Decide whether you plan your stories or discover them, then choose software that suits that habit. If you're a planner, start with an outlining tool; if you'd rather just write, start with a simple drafting app. Use the free trial on your real book, not a test file, so you can tell whether it helps you write more.

And before you're attached to a title, search for it. Copyright won't protect it, so it's worth knowing early whether someone else got there first.

Frequently asked questions

What software do most novelists use?

Novelists use everything from word processors to dedicated book apps. Dedicated apps help most once a book has many chapters, characters and notes.

Is there free novel writing software?

A few apps have free plans or a free edition you can keep using. Most others offer a free trial of two to four weeks.

Can I copyright my book title?

No. The U.S. Copyright Office says copyright doesn't protect titles, names or short phrases, though some may be protected as trademarks. The manuscript itself can be protected.

Should I use AI to write my novel?

Use it if it helps you brainstorm or get unstuck, but keep the story and voice your own. Readers notice when a book sounds generic.

Do I need separate software to outline?

Not always. Some writing apps include outlining, while dedicated outlining tools go deeper on timelines and plot structure.

How do I back up a novel safely?

Keep the app's own backups switched on, and export a copy of the manuscript to another location every week.